Archive for 2019

OSHA Top Violations 2019

Dec. 10th, 2019

5 min read At the National Safety Council 2019 Congress & Expo, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that for the ninth consecutive year, Fall Protection – General Requirements, specifically 1926.501, was the year’s most frequently cited standard. The rest of the list contained the same violations as 2018 with Lockout/Tagout and Respiratory Protection trading spots to land in No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. “Far too many preventable injuries and deaths occur on the job,” said Lorraine M. Martin, National Safety Council president and CEO. “The OSHA Top 10 list is a helpful guide for understanding just how adept America’s businesses are in complying with the basic rules of workplace safety. This list should serve as a challenge for us to do better as a nation and expect more from employers. It should also serve as a catalyst for individual employees to re-commit to safety.” How ISN Can HelpISN supports our subscribers striving to reduce violations in several ways. Our HSEQ Review and Verification Services (RAVS) team reviews contractors’ policies and training to help Hiring Clients ensure contractors address necessary regulations. Subscribers can also utilize the Online Training Tool to assign contractors and employees specific trainings to cover topics such as material hazards. Read more about our support for training qualifications. If you are a subscribed Hiring Client, ask your ISN Account Representative for information on how our tools and subject matter experts can help your organization strive for reducing OSHA citations. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and reduce incidents? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld. OSHA Top Violations 2019The data covers violations cited from October 1, 2018, through August 31, 2019. 1. Fall protection (construction)—general requirements (29 CFR 1926.501)6,010 violations Fall protection prevention encompasses a variety of different equipment and systems to reduce or mitigate hazards while working at heights. Many companies employ fall protection measures like personal fall arrest (PFA) systems, guardrail systems, safety nets, positioning device systems, warning line systems and controlled access zones. A strong fall protection program can support training for both Hiring Client and contractor employees. ISN’s HSEQ Review and Verification Services (RAVS) team reviews contractors’ policies and training, like fall protection programs, to help Hiring Clients ensure contractors address necessary regulations. 2. Hazard communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) 3,671 violations The hazard communication OSHA regulation ensures the hazards of chemicals produced or imported are classified, and that information concerning the classified hazards is shared with employers and employees. This could include maintaining written programs and employee training programs regarding hazards of chemicals and protective measures. Read about some of the hazards and solutions to managing Benzene safety in our blog. 3. Scaffolds (construction)—general requirements (29 CFR 1926.451)2,813 violations These requirements address scaffold and scaffold components and how they should be installed, the weight limits, etc. A strong fall protection program can support proper use and protections on scaffolds as well. 4. Lockout/tagout (29 CFR 1910.147) 2,606 violations In 2019, these violations surpassed Respiratory protection citations, which held the No. 4 spot on OSHA’s list of top citations in 2018. The regulation addresses preventing the release of hazardous energy while employees service and maintenance equipment. Employees may experience serious physical harm or even death if proper precautions are not put in place. According to OSHA, workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation. Compliance with the government administration’s standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. 5. Respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134) 2,450 violations These violations fell one spot in OSHA’s 2019 list from the previous year, surpassed by Lockout/tagout citations. The standard seeks to control occupational diseases caused by breathing contaminated air and preventing atmospheric contamination. OSHA requires employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program to be administered by a trained program administrator. ISN’s RAVS Plus Implementation Assessments can provide subscribers an analysis of contractors’ policy implementations through interviewing employees and reviewing additional documentation, including written programs. 6. Ladders (construction) (29 CFR 1926.1053)2,345 violations These requirements apply to all ladders, including job-made ladders. A strong fall protection program can support proper use and protections on ladders as well. 7. Powered industrial trucks (29 CFR 1910.178)2,093 violations This standard addresses safety requirements relating to design, maintenance, fire protection, and use of fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized industrial trucks. Citations result from using defective industrial trucks and failure to certify operators. 8. Fall protection (construction)—training requirements (29 CFR 1926.503) 1,773 violations This violation maintained its No. 8 spot for the second year in a row. Training for employees to familiarize themselves with requirements and regulations surrounding fall protection is critical to maintaining job site safety. This regulation varies from the similarly named number one standard on this list in that it references the training related to fall protection, including notification of hazards and documented training records. ISN subscribers can take advantage of the Online Training Tool to assign contractors and employees specific trainings to complete before entering a job site. More than 15 million qualifications have been submitted for contractor employees working on Hiring Client sites in ISNetworld to date, a 64% increase since 2016. Read about our support for training qualifications. RAVS Plus Implementation Assessments for ISN subscribers analyze contractors’ policy implementations through interviewing employees and reviewing additional documentation, including fall protection written programs, evidence of fall protection training and equipment inspections. 9. Machine guarding (29 CFR 1910.212) 1,743 violations This standard sits at the same spot as 2018’s list. It provides that one or more ways of guarding be provided to protect the operator and other employees in a machine area. Hazards could be created by operation, such as rotating parts, flying chips or sparks. Guarding methods could be barriers, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc. 10. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment (construction)—eye and face protection (29 CFR 1926.102) 1,411 violations These violations sit at the No. 10 spot for second year in a row. Employers should ensure that each employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards, including those that fit over corrective eyewear for employees requiring prescription lenses. Citations for this standard are most common among roofing contractors failing to use the proper PPE. Most Cited Violations of 2018 Fall Protection (1926.501) Hazard Communication (1910.1200) Scaffolding – General Requirements (1926.451) Respiratory Protection (1910.134) Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) Ladders (1926.1053) Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503) Machine Guarding– General Requirement (1910.212) Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102) Most Cited Violations of 2017 Fall Protection (1926.501) Hazard Communication (1910.1200) Scaffolding (1926.451) Respiratory Protection (1910.134) Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) Ladders (1926.1053) Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) Machine Guarding– General Requirement (1910.212) Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503) Electrical – Wiring Methods (1910.305)

Fire Prevention Programs and Remediation

Oct. 8th, 2019

4.5 min read Since 1922, the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week in the United States. It has been a national observance since 1925, making it the longest-running public health observance in the U.S. The prevention week is observed each year during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire. The fire, which began on October 8, 1871, killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. This week reminds us it is imperative to perform fire suppression system checks, emergency procedure inspections and ask questions to make sure our companies have done their due diligence in protecting stakeholders from the risk of fire on work sites and company premises. The Scope of the ProblemIn 2017, the Fire Service in the United Kingdom was called to an average 300 non-dwelling building fires a week. According to Health and Safety Executive, some of the contributing ignition sources include hot works, plant and equipment, smoking, electrical installations and arson. When looking at the United States, it is reported that in 2017 there were an estimated 111,000 non-residential fires. There were 95 deaths, 1,200 injuries and losses of more than $2.7 trillion reported in these fires. With a 20% increase in fires and a 16% increase in deaths from these fires between 2008-2017 reported by the U.S. Fire Administration, companies face a serious threat of loss of life and property. The risk of fire for organizations and contractors is a global issue. Review and evaluate your fire prevention programs to minimize liability and risk. The Science of Fire – Fuel / Heat / Oxygen (Triangle of Combustion) Fuel – For a fire to start there needs to be the presence of materials, such as oils, paper, fabrics, gases, woods, rubber, plastics or liquids. Heat – The listed materials need to be heated for ignition to occur. Oxygen – The last element to enable the start and spread of fire is oxygen. When combustible materials are oxidized with the presence of a heat source, this is where ignition results. All three elements must be present for a chemical chain reaction to take place and result in combustion. To put out the fire, one of these elements must then be removed. When we break fire down into its 3 core elements, it is easy to see why job sites can be susceptible to the risk of fire. Best Practices to Consider PreventionA key step in assessing fire programs is to question what we can do to minimize these risks in the first place. Consider the following checklist: Employees Confirm those performing inspections are competent to perform them and understand how defects and/or issues are reported Sites & Equipment Implement a maintenance program to prevent equipment / plant machinery failures and train employees to report defects Assess your premises and day-to-day operations to identify fire risks and potential emergency situations Perform inspections to ensure emergency routes are clear and to highlight unsafe storage of combustible materials and cylinders Confirm suitable security provisions and access systems are in place to secure against arson and other risks Procedures Develop suitable procedures / safe systems of work to minimize the risk of fire Ensure your procedures are adhering to local legislative requirements Have a fire watch process in place for hot works & welding in line with legal / industry best practice standards ReactionConsider what can be implemented to mitigate the severity of fire and prevent harm to all stakeholders if there has been a failure in prevention systems or where an accident or unforeseen event has taken place. By asking the following questions, gaps can be identified in current reactionary processes and increase efficiencies: Employees Have fire wardens / incident controllers been appointed and is there a system in place to account for all persons on site? Have persons been appointed to provide first aid? When and how often is training required? How do you assess and ensure the competency of your appointed incident controllers and fire wardens? Systems & Equipment Do you have appropriate detection and alarm systems in place and are these suitably maintained? Does your company have firefighting equipment with maintenance programs to ensure effectiveness? Procedures Is there a suitable procedure in place for persons to raise the alarm? Are emergency evacuation plans suitably displayed and communicated to all employees, contractors, subcontractors and visitors? Are there regular tests and/or reviews of evacuation procedures? ReviewCompanies should always strive for continuous improvement to help ensure when an incident has occurred that actions are taken to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring. The following should be considered: Are you investigating fires and incidents to identify causes to prevent reoccurrence and future incidents? How are necessary corrective actions tracked and implemented by your company? How are investigation findings communicated to all relevant stakeholders? Let ISN helpISN’s team of health and safety specialists monitor applicable regulatory changes as well as review and verify fire and emergency safety programs to ensure documentation is meeting regulatory standards and client best practices. By meeting these safety program requirements contractors are demonstrating they have suitable provisions in place. ISN’s RAVS Plus process provides an effective platform for discussing implementation with management and company employees to ensure these practices and procedures are being communicated to front-line personnel. If you are an existing ISNetworld subscribing Hiring Client, contact your account team to inquire about RAVS Plus and other programs to help bolster your fire protection program. To discuss ISNetworld’s resources, RAVS Plus and additional benefits for both clients and contractors, please request a demo of our contractor management platform.

ISN to Exhibit at the 2019 Southeast Mine Safety & Health Conference

Oct. 7th, 2019

This Year’s Conference ISN will be exhibiting at the Southeast Mine Safety & Health Conference from November 5th to November 7th in Birmingham, Alabama. The Southeast Mine Safety and Health Conference Executive Committee is a not-for-profit group formed to plan, market, manage, continuously improve and perpetuate the annual Southeast Mine Safety and Health Conference. This year’s conference theme is “The Only Way to Live.” Visit Our Booth Stop by booth #31 to discuss your contractor management goals for 2020 and learn more about ISNetworld’s tools and services. We look forward to seeing you there.

Safework Australia National Safe Work Month

Oct. 1st, 2019

2 min read Between 2003 and 2018 in Australia, 3,753 workers have been killed in the workplace. In 2018 alone, 149 workers were killed on the job. Work-related injuries and disease cost the Australian marketplace approximately $61.8 billion per year. No industry or workplace desires to be unsafe and no death or injury is acceptable. Each October, Safework Australia recognises and emphasises the importance of health and safety at work. The 2019 theme is “Be a Safety Champion.” This year’s theme demonstrates that both employers and workers from any occupation or industry can be a champion for health and safety at work. Being a safety champion describes more than just observing the rules or following procedures. Being a safety champion asks for individuals to show a strong focus on safety by: leading others being innovative and proactive demonstrating an understanding of the importance of all workers going home the same way they came to work Support a Culture of SafetyEveryone can support a safety culture at their workplace and promote best practice work health and safety initiatives. To help companies recognise the month’s focus, the Safework Australia website offers several resources. Use them to demonstrate in your workplace the importance of work health and safety and why everyone should be a safety champion, including: Posters Editable posters Flyers Web graphics Digital brand kit Demonstrate your Commitment to SafetyWe can all strive to Be a Safety Champion at work this October, and every month moving forward. It is important to demonstrate your commitment to safety through leading by example and following company policies. If you are a contractor, review your company’s safety policies and programs to help reduce incidents. If you are a Hiring Client, it’s a good time to evaluate your written programs and trainings. Ask your contact at ISN for information on how our team can help. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and validate written programs? Request a demo of our contractor management software, ISNetworld.

How to Build a Successful Health and Safety Program

Sep. 26th, 2019

5 min read A safety program is a defined plan of action designed to prevent accidents and meet health and safety legislation requirements. Safety programs play an important role in carrying out daily safe work practices in a variety of job tasks and environments within an organization. The purpose of such programs is to ensure that everyone in the company is aware of work associated hazards and risks and understands how to perform their job safely. Safety programs, however, are only as good as their implementation. They should include recognition for safe performance and consequences for non-conformance. These programs can also help your company maintain compliance with laws and regulations. It is everyone’s responsibility to work safely. The more employers and employees who participate and are educated about safety in the workplace, the more people who will go home safe at the end of the day. The Value of a Thorough Safety ProgramWell-developed health and safety programs help workers and employers prepare for activities that could impact their quality of life and prevent life-altering incidents. These programs are also an essential steppingstone to improving a company’s overall health and safety culture. Reduce Workplace Injuries and FatalitiesAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in five workplace deaths in the U.S. in 2017 were in the construction industry. The leading causes of these deaths—excluding highway collisions—were falls, being struck by an object, electrocution and caught-in/between. A thorough health and safety program can ensure written programs are in place that cover topics like those in construction’s “Fatal Four” in hopes of reducing workplace injuries and fatalities. Increase Employee Morale and Productivity One of the keys to having a successful safety program is allowing employee participation in program building, which will encourage them to take ownership and promote a beneficial safety culture. Reduce SpendHealth and safety programs also include additional benefits, such as reducing company cost by helping reduce injuries. In turn, this decreases the time that would be spent investigating workplace injuries or the time that would be spent training a short service worker to replace an injured one. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that employers pay nearly $1 billion per week for direct workers’ compensation costs alone. These costs far outweigh the upfront struggles of preventing an incident by creating a safety program to deter it. Prepare for your Program Following are a few steps you can take prior to drafting your health and safety program. First, identify your company’s purpose for developing a standard approach. Define why it’s important to your company and why this program is being created. And ensure that you have management support to implement such a program. Next, identify the scope of your program. Who will be affected by it and who will need to comply? Your health and safety program will become a crucial resource for employees to reference on the job. It’s important to create a program that includes any task that imposes risk to your employees and tools to help them identify and mitigate the associated hazards and risks. And then, ensure your program is specific to the tasks performed by your employees and contract workers and applies to the everyday operations of the company. Create a complete list of job types, tasks and associated hazards and risks to address in the program. Be sure to identify new or modified tasks and address jobs where frequent accidents or injuries occur. What to Include in your Safety ProgramThe safety program should be an accurate reflection of the work your company performs. Review the following items to consider and include: DefinitionsProvide thorough information on terms used in the program that may not be familiar to all employees but are crucial to every day work practices. This helps employees understand what they should be doing and reduces ambiguity. ProceduresProvide step-by-step requirements for employees to learn and follow. This becomes a resource during daily activities. Use the list of jobs you prepared before drafting the program and define the sequence of steps involved for the job’s tasks. Signal the risks and hazards of the job and provide defined preventative measures employees can follow. Perform a hazard and risk assessment and determine what controls are needed. Then ensure you’ve included all steps and corrective actions in the documentation and review the program. ReferencesIf you have documents and resources available for detailed information employees can review, provide this in your program. References could include regulatory or company specific links, documents or training sessions. 4 Ways to Nurture a Successful Program ImplementationA successful implementation of a safety program requires time and commitment from employees at all levels of the organization. From senior management down to the field level employees, your safety program should be one that is carried out by everyone. Provide Access to EveryoneCommunicate your company’s health and safety objectives and goals to all employees and describe the responsibilities of the people involved. Your program must be accessible by all employees at any given time. They should feel comfortable with the contents of the program and understand how it relates to the job they’re completing. Effective Training is KeyEmployees should be trained on the content of the program. Lunch and learns, videos and classes with an instructor can provide valuable instruction and reinforcement. After training, ensure all levels of employees understand the content presented as well as their responsibilities. Keep RecordsKeep program training records for all employees and retrain annually. Proper documentation could help mitigate the liability of the company in the case of an incident and litigation. Enforcement is Necessary A well drafted health and safety program can only work as well as it’s enforced. Review the program with the executive team and prepare a plan for proper enforcement. Let ISN Help Help CenterFor current Hiring Clients, ISN’s Help Center provides answers to frequently asked questions, updates, written instructions and videos on various areas to help your company build safety culture and written safety programs. Log in now to view the Help Center. Reference Materials in ISNetworldProvided within the Review & Verification Services (RAVS) section of your account, you have access to safety videos, links to legislation and a detailed summary of the requirement as it relates to written safety programs. Log in now to review the materials. Customer Service TeamYour ISN account team as well as our customer service and RAVS teams are always happy to answer any questions and provide additional clarification if needed as you build your thorough health and safety program. Our customer service team is available via phone and chat 24-hours a day during the business week. Get Started TodayIf you are a Hiring Client and want to know more about how ISN can help you streamline your health and safety and contractor management programs, request a demo from our client development team. We will be happy to share our experience and knowledge with you as you take on the journey to improve workplace safety.